Jesus Freaks: Sins of the Father

“I’ve never been that vocal in prayer,” I admit with a shrug. “In my church at home there are some group prayers we say during the service, but for the most part, Episcopalians are fairly private with that stuff. Corporate prayer—that’s the term, right? It’s new to me.”

Eden smiles at her reflection before turning the sunlight of her grin toward me. Placing one manicured hand on my shoulder, she tilts her head to the side. “I thought that might be it. Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it, and before you know it you’ll be adding your voice to the mix.”

Something about the hopeful tone in her voice makes me believe her. Before setting foot on campus, I would have assumed a comment like that would make me want to throw a shoe at her. Instead, I trust her.

“I’ve also never attended a fundamental church service. This will be my first.”

Bridgette slides out of the shower stall fully dressed. “Well, you couldn’t get a finer introduction.” She giggles and squares herself in the mirror.

The color in Eden’s cheeks deepens as she laughs along with Bridgette.

“What do you mean?” I ask, zipping my makeup bag.

“Pastor Roland,” Eden starts, then stops herself as she checks under the bathroom stalls and in the showers. “He’s cute,” she whispers.

My mouth falls open as I shift my gaze between my blushing roommates.

Bridgette bites her lip. “Sorry. Did we offend you? You don’t seem that upti—”

“No, no,” I cut her off, shaking my head. “That’s not it. I just… I wasn’t sure if you were…like…” I allow a soft chuckle before looking down. “He’s a good preacher though, too, right?” I do my best to divert attention away from my birth father’s appearance…and my lack of social grace.

“Oh yes. Yes. Absolutely,” Eden replies with conviction. “He’s unconventional in his dress and delivery, sure, but he has a massive heart for Jesus.”

I cough to cover up the laugh at the h-word I thought was about to follow “massive.”

Bridgette nods. “I remember all the fluttering about when he was hired. It was crazy.”

“Wait,” I interrupt. “Don’t you live in Tennessee? How’d you hear about a church hire here?”

“I’ve wanted to come to Carter since I was eleven,” Bridgette answers matter-of-factly. “The school and news surrounding it have been on my radar forever.”

Eden nods. “The summer camp I work at always has lots of CU kids, too. They talked about their excitement when he was hired. Well…most of them.”

“Most?” I question. While I know there were mixed opinions among the adults in the church and on campus, I knew nothing about the reaction of the young people.

Bridgette shrugs. “Just like any group of evangelicals, you’ll have a wide range of opinions.”

You will? First I’m hearing about it.

“Some are more legalistic than others,” she continues. “They didn’t like how he dressed, or his softened stance on certain political issues.”

“What issues?” I didn’t know Roland to have any political opinion that I’d categorize as soft.

“Oh, who knows.” Eden waves her hand. “Like…I don’t think he’s ever preached about homosexuality from the pulpit.”

I scrunch my forehead and wait for more. Apparently, there isn’t any more. That’s it? That’s the litmus test for liberalism these days? Who hasn’t preached against homosexuality from the pulpit?

“Or abortion,” Bridgette adds.

Right. We can’t forget abortion.

While this snippet of conversation opens more questions about those who run CU and the parents of my fellow students, it leaves me worrying less about the possibility of Roland saying something completely insane.

“Ready?” Eden asks, giving her lips one final coat of gloss.

Gloss and soft colors are allowed. Deep red isn’t.

Once we deposit our toiletries into our room, my roommates and I make our way to the UC.

It’s bigger than it looks online. Not quite as large as New Life Church—which could easily fit the 6,000 enrolled students of Carter University—but certainly enough to hold the 1,500 in the freshman class.

As we spot the guys we ate with last night, including Bridgette’s brother, Silas, and my social savior, Jonah, a question brews in my mind.

“Hey,” I ask anyone in the group who is listening, “is R—Pastor Roland preaching four times today?” I know that each class has their own service on “Welcome Back Sunday,” but this is the first time I’m considering the potential stress of having to give four sermons in one day.

I hate that I care.

Silas shakes his head. “No, that’s why this is extra awesome.” He smiles as he claps his hands together once. “It’s like hitting the jackpot on commencement speakers, but this isn’t even commencement.”

“Fan of his?” I chuckle and take the first open seat I spot. “What’s the big deal? Can’t we go to New Life on Sundays if we want?”